Chapter 363 - Ex-husband's Humiliation
Chapter 363: Ex-husband’s Humiliation
Qiao An’s voice was slow and emotionless. Third Madam knew that Qiao An had really put her unbearable past with them behind her.
“Qiao An, I envy you. I envy you for being able to live well after so many hardships,” Third Madam said with heartfelt emotion.
Qiao An said, “Third Sister-in-law, don’t you think your experience is very similar to mine?”
Third Madam was stunned. Surprise flashed in her eyes.
She quietly deliberated over Qiao An’s past in her mind. They had both suffered their husbands’ betrayal and infidelity. They were equally desperate to the point of jumping off a building. It was just that Qiao An was lucky to be “alive.”
But what about her? Would she survive?
She smiled bitterly. “We’re alike for the first half of our lives and not for the second. Qiao An, you met Xiaoran. He’s a loyal person. I can’t compare to you when it comes to that.”
Qiao An said, “Third Sister-in-law, you’re only 50 years old this year. You still have a long life ahead of you. Why are you sad? Just like me, when you’re in a desperate situation, just take one step at a time.”
Third Madam smiled. “You’re optimistic.”
As the two of them chatted, the ward door suddenly opened.
Wei Xin came in, carrying a thermos box. When she saw Qiao An, her face froze before she questioned Qiao An angrily, “Qiao An, what are you doing here?” She looked guarded as if Qiao An would take everything that belonged to her.
On the other hand, Qiao An did not hesitate at all. With an open and aboveboard attitude, she said, “Wei Xin, don’t be nervous. Even if I really have ill intentions, what benefits can I get from your third branch? There’s no need for me to want your man. My Brother Xiaoran dotes on me to the core. I won’t go so far as to recycle trash like Li Zecheng. I don’t fancy the third branch’s assets. Besides, the third branch’s assets are all firmly controlled by Third Brother now.”
Wei Xin’s eyes darkened. What Qiao An said was unpleasant, but it was the truth.
The current third branch of the Li family had lost all its assets. Furthermore, the father and son were not on good terms.
Wei Xin walked over with a dark expression and placed the thermos box on the bedside table. Her expression was a little impatient. “Mom, it’s time to eat.” Her tone was very cold.
Third Madam’s expression was also very bad, but she was now paralyzed in bed and needed help. Her temper was much better, and she no longer shouted at Wei Xin.
After Wei Xin fed her the porridge, she left with a dark expression. Throughout the entire process, Wei Xin did not communicate with Third Madam. Their relationship was very stiff, and the atmosphere was very suffocating.
After Wei Xin left, Third Madam said with tears in her eyes, “It was my fault for chasing away my gentle and virtuous daughter-in-law. Now, I’ve to deal with a fierce daughter-in-law.”
Qiao An shook her head and said, “Third Sister-in-law, I’ll have to criticize you. Wei Xin is your daughter-in-law, but she’s not your daughter. You didn’t raise her at all. She can cook for you now because of your son. If your son is good to her, she’ll be good to you. This is called love for your family. But if your son isn’t good to her, why should she be good to you?”
Third Madam glared at Qiao An. “You’d still speak up for her after what she did to you back then.”
Qiao An smiled. “I’m just stating the obvious. No personal feelings.”
Outside the door, Wei Xin felt a lump in her throat when she heard Qiao An’s words. Tears streamed down her face.
Then she fled in a sorry state.
That night, Wei Xin took the initiative to go to Li Zecheng’s bedroom for the first time. They had already slept in separate rooms for a while and lived a sexless marriage. Therefore, when Li Zecheng saw her, he was extremely surprised.
“Why are you here?” Li Zecheng was on guard, ready to fight.
Wei Xin sat on the chair in front of him and said calmly, “Don’t be nervous. I’m not here to quarrel with you today.”
Li Zecheng heaved a sigh of relief.
Wei Xin looked at Li Zecheng and said, “When I went to visit Mom today, I met Qiao An. You didn’t expect her to visit your Mom, did you?”
Li Zecheng looked flustered. “Did she cause trouble for my mother?”
Wei Xin looked at Li Zecheng’s face and suddenly laughed sarcastically.
“It seems you don’t know Qiao An at all. Not only did she not trouble Mom, but she had a very pleasant chat with her.”
When Li Zecheng heard this, it was as if a clear spring had emerged in his heart. He immediately felt happy.
Wei Xin saw the joy in the corners of his eyes, perhaps because she knew his thoughts very well. “I know you can’t forget Qiao An. But I advise you to give up. Think about how you treated Qiao An when she was with you. Now that she’s with Uncle, he dotes on her. What she wears is several times more expensive than what he wears.”
After a pause, she thought of something and suddenly smiled. “Uncle dotes on her so much. She won’t recycle half-hearted trash like you.”
Li Zecheng was about to flare up when he heard Wei Xin say casually, “Qiao An said this to me herself.”
Li Zecheng felt as if something was stuck in his throat. Was he so unbearable in Qiao An’s heart?
Wei Xin looked at him and said calmly, “Qiao An is not stupid. Don’t expect her to go back to you.”
How could Li Zecheng not understand that he and Qiao An were not from the same world at all? Qiao An was noble and devoted to relationships, but he was an irresponsible man. However, even ants living in the mud had the dream of looking up at the stars and moon.
Slightly embarrassed, he said, “Don’t overthink it. I don’t have any feelings for Qiao An.”
For some reason, Wei Xin smiled and said, “You don’t even dare to admit that you still love her.”
Li Zecheng was stunned Yes, at some point, he had seemed extremely humble in front of Qiao An.
Wei Xin said, “Actually, you don’t have to hide your feelings for her in front of me. Admit it openly, I won’t be angry. Because I know that’s just your wishful thinking. You and Qiao An can never be together in this life. I’m completely at ease with the two of you.”
Li Zecheng looked at Wei Xin in surprise. In the past, she was afraid that he would be snatched away, but now, she was so at ease with him. This confidence was his shame as a man.
It also hinted at the difference between him and Qiao An.
“Wei Xin, I’m tired. I’m tired of marriage and family. I just want to be quiet and have a peaceful life. As you said, I might not have given up on Qiao An, but I know that it’s a regret I can’t get. I know that we’re no longer from the same world, so I won’t force things that don’t belong to me. So, you can keep it to yourself.”